The media learned on Tuesday that Jose Ortizunderwent successful surgery on his right knee some time in October. There is some concern that Ortiz might not be ready for the start of the regular season (Nobuhiko Matsuanaka had a similar surgery before the start of the season this year and wasn't ready for opening day), but since the season will be starting 5 days later than this year, the Hawks are hoping he'll be ready.

In other team news:

Nikkan Sports wonders if the Hawks will become a 5B yen team this year. The current team payroll apparently sits at about 3.8B yen and could end up leading all teams in payroll next season.

Incidentally, the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association reported that the Hawks had the highest payroll 3.2B yen (the JPBPA doesn't include contracts for foreign players).